Tweeters,

On 18 October on the west ridge of Chopaka Mountain at 7,400' elevation, I
observed 10 Bohemian Waxwings foraging on berries of common juniper
(Juniperus communis). In the same dwarf shrubfield were mats of
kinnickinick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), which had no berries. This is the
3rd October sighting of Bohemians I've had in northern Okanogan County. The
other two were:

20 October 1991-600 on Tiffany Mountain (at 7,500'), also foraging on
juniper berries
29 October 1988-350 on Middle Tiffany Mountain (7,400'), also foraging on
juniper berries

Canning's Birds of the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia gives the last
week of October as the usual arrival date in that region of BC (only a few
minutes flight by a bird from my observations in Washington).

My question is whether BC birders are noting Bohemian Waxwings at valley
bottom elevations in the 3rd & 4th weeks of October, or, are these
vanguards mostly migrating south along the mountaintops, only to descend to
lower elevations in November and December?

Also on Chopaka were:

Rough-legged Hawk-1 dark, 1 light
Blue Grouse-6
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch-200
1 Townsend's Solitaire-1

We (Denny Granstrand and Michael Schroeder) searched for ptarmigan on
Chopaka, but saw no sign. There was about 8-14" of snow above 7,200' on
Chopaka Mountain, but many exposed areas swept bare.
It appeared a ptarmigan could still readily make a living here.

The night of the 17th, Denny & I had 2 Boreal Owls at Roger Lake.

The morning of the 18th, Michael Schroeder took us to a marvelous site
along Mutton Creek (northwest of Conconully) where we walked up to
radio-tagged Spruce Grouse. Along this alder-lined trail were Pine
Grosbeaks.

It was a stunningly beautiful day, with fresh snow set off against
brilliant blue skies. The Cascades to the west were mantled in fresh snow
and a cold wind was blowing from the north. 'Twas a shame to leave such a
wonderful place. But, gotta get back to them apples!

Andy Stepniewski
Wapato WA